Collector&#39;s stamp



March 5, 1935. G, J MATT 1,993,331

coLLEcToRs STAMP Filed April 21, 1934 22 j I l lr l @MZ//m ATTORNEY.

Patented Mar. 5, 1935 UNITED STATES COLLECTORS STAMP George J. Matt, Brooklyn, N. Y., assigner to Roberts Numbering Machine Company, New York,

N. Y., a corporation of New York Application April 21, 1934, serial No. 721,700

14 Claims.

The invention relates to Collectors stamp,v and more particularlyto a portable, manually operative machine for making, simultaneously, a plurality of records of each transaction in which the machine is used.

In the use of a collector's machine embodying the invention, in order to protect the payer of funds to a collector and the principal for `Whom such collections are made, a record is made indicating the payer, the .amount paidl and other data upon the book of the payer and upon a record strip so protected within the machine as not to be accessible to the collector, thus avoiding all possibility of any` alterations in the entries upon this record and ensuring a complete temporary record of all transactions which may be entered in a permanent record book.

It is not only essential that thef'various mechanisms be so constructed and arranged as to permit the convenient setting of the various indicia wheels by the collector to indicate different transactions, but the various parts must be so constructed as to permit such compactness'throughout the vmachine as to make it conveniently portable and preclude all possibility of a disarrange ment of parts or an improper setting of the various indicia Wheels.

Each of the indicia wheels is so formed as to indicate clearly to the collector what data will,

. be impressed by the machine with the actuation thereof, thus preventing any mistake in the record made by the machine.

' Each indicia wheel must be freely rotatable to facilitate the setting of the Various wheels required in making an entry, and yet each wheel must be under such control as to prevent its accidental displacement after it has once been set, thus avoiding the making of an imperfect record because of the accidental rotation or partial ro- 40 tation of any wheel being used in making that record.

y'In Va machine of the type to which the inven-` tion relates, the use of ink pads or ink saturated strips of fabric is not satisfactory since such de* vices cannot be relied upon to make a sharply de- 55 thereon and. on the payers record book, isautomaticallyadvanced so as to properly space suc-,I ceeding entries and ensurel a clearsharp im-Y, pression of the data as determined by the man, ual setting of the various indicia, wheels.

The construction is such as to permit the use, of stripsrof carbon paper with an interposed-reef ord strip which latter serves as a reinforcement ito the former, thus precluding'all possibility ofthe tearing ofthe carbon stripsfand thefailure to impress thereon, or upon the payers record,` ,thedesired data.- I Certainty of the making of an impression -wi-th each actuation ofthe machine-is essentialgandy it-is also desirable to provide.infthe'machine, meanspreventing its accidental actuationin a manner to impress data upon tghe record strip. without impressing corresponding data upon the payers record book. Y

The manner of mounting the recordstrip and the strips associated therewith through which the impression is made, is such that the move. ment of the indicia wheels, while engageddtheree, with, will create sufficient slack prior to the mak-j ing of vthe impression to avoid mutilation of said strips or smuttingy of the imprint, the strip feeding mechanism being actuated 4during radial movement of said wheels following the .makingof the impression, means preferably being `provided to prevent the possible creationA of slackv during such feeding movement. y The inventionconsists primarily in a collectors stamp embodying therein a lower ,casing4 having an opening through the bottomthereof,

supply and rewind reels; upon opposite sidesof said opening, a plurality of superimposed `strips of record` and carbon paper passingv fromy said supply to said rewind reel with a carbon coated` surface presented towards said, opening, guides for said strips, an upper casing having a sight opening therethrough, closing said ,lower casing, movable therefrom, and having therein a guide bracket having vertical ways, a reciprocatory frame, a shaft carried thereby having itsr oppo-l site endsmounted in said ways, and a .plurality of wheels idly mounted on said shaft, and-projecting through said. sight opening, each-having a plurality of duplicated printing and non-:printing characters so positioned that when a printing character is at the opening inthe lower casing, theduplicate non-printing characterv isz-,at `said. sight opening, means whereby said vframe may be actuated, and cooperating means carried by. said rewind reel and said reciprocatory 'frame whereby said strips willbe advanced with 'peach' upward movement `of said frameyandlin. such other novel features of construction and combination of parts as are hereinafter set forth and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

Referring to the drawing,

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a machine embodying the invention, partly in section;

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the lower casing, showing the manner of mounting the record and associated strips, said strips being broken away to disclose structural details of the base;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the upper frame.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawing, the machine contains therein an angular cupped lower casing 10 having an opening 11 through the bottom thereof. Within this casing are side bars 12, each having saddles 13 and 14 upon opposite sides of the opening 11 forming lower bearings for a supply reel 15 of superimposed strips 16, 17 and 18 of record paper and carbon paper, and a rewind reel 19 by means of which eachl strip is fed across said opening 11 following each actuation of the machine. The side bars 12 are connected by rods 20 above the opening 11, which serve as guides for the passage of the strips 16', 17 and-18. The

lower casing 10 is supported from a base plate 21 by means of a side bar 22 and screws passing therethrough and 'through one of the side bars 12 as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing.

The base 21 adjacent the bar 22 is of greater thickness than other portions of the base, so as to space the casing 10 away from said base to an extent to permit the insertion of the leaves of a debtors record book between said casing and said base. This space is indicated at 23 in Figs. 1, 2 and 4. Loosely mounted in the base 21 Vare a plurality of presser plungers 24, so that after the insertion of the book in the space 23, it is merely necessary to set the machine upon some object, to hold said book against displacement during the actuation of the machine. These plungers are positioned upon opposite sides of the opening 11 so as to press the book against the bottom of the casing 10. Inset in the base 21 along the longitudinal center of the opening 11 is a soft platen 25 to' ensureV the making of a clean impression with the actuation of the machine upon the record book and also upon the record sheet. This platen is desirable, although not necessary.

A stamp embodying the invention is equipped or loaded with a record strip and its associating carbon strips before it is delivered to the collector. It is desirable that this strip be inaccessible to the collector since it is a check upon his activities and determines the amount of cash which must be turned in after each days work. The lower casing, however, must be readily accessible to those authorized to have access to said record strip, to facilitate the removal of a used record strip andv the charging of the machine with a fresh strip.

To prevent access to the record strip by a collector, while permitting the free changing in the setting of the machine, I provide a top casing 26, which not onlycloses the lower casing 10,l but supports Various mechanisms forv making an impression and ensuring the feeding of the record strip following each actuation of the machine.

This casing has a sight opening 2'7 in the front wall thereof and carries a U-shaped bracket 28 having guideways 29 in the legs thereof, which guideways, when the machine is closed, register with recessed portions 30 in the bars 12. The base of the bracket 28 is extended lengthwise of the machine so'as to support the upper casing 26 from the side bars 12. This extended portion of each side of the U-bracket is provided with saddles 31 registering with the saddles 13 and 14 of the side bars 12 respectively, thus completing the bearings for the reels 15 and 19.

Carried by the bracket 28 is a spring 32 acting as a friction retard device operative upon the supply reel 15 to prevent the creation of slack in the strips 16, 17 and 18 with the actuation of the take-up mechanism in a manner to be hereinafter described.

The bracket 28 also has hinge members 33 adapted to be pivoted `to the projecting ends of the side bars 12 to permit the top casing to be removed from its position in closing the lower casing 10, to permit the mounting and removal of the reels and the record strips from said lower casing. f

Slidably mounted in relation to the U-bracket 28 is aU-frame 34 carrying a shaft 35, the opposite ends of which projectbeyond said U-frame and enter the guideways 29 in the bracket 28, thus permitting said U-frame to have a controlled vertical reciprocatory movement in the operation of the stem. This frame like the bracket 28 is within the top casing 26.

The shaft 35 has. idly mounted thereon, a plurality of indicia wheels; having a sequence of printing characters projecting from the perimeter thereof. The number of these characters and their nature vary according to the data whichareto be recorded by means of the various wheels. The general character of these wheels is similar to those used upon an ordinary numbering head, but different therefrom in that the succeeding printing characters are spaced apart sufficiently to permit the locating between succeeding characters, of duplicated characters to indicate the setting of the various wheels of the machine. kThere is, therefore, uponeach wheel, a pre-determined number of printing characters and a duplication of these characters in a nonprinting position upon the wheel. In the wheel as shown in thedrawings, there are l2 printing characters and 12 non-printing characters. Each pair of duplicated characters is so positioned that when a printing character is brought to its printing position above the platen 25, the other of said pairis positioned at the sight opening 27. With this arrangement, the operator may turn the several wheels by hand tovset up the desired data and may read through the sight opening what the setting of the various wheels is. These wheels 4may be so set as to indicate the date, thenumber of the account, the amount collected, the key letters of the collector and any other data which may be desired in order to identify each record strip after its removal from the machine with the work of a particular collector and-with the various debtors from whom collections have been made.

In the accompanying drawing, the various digit wheels are indicated at 36, the printing characters thereon at 37 and the non-printing characters at 38. The printing characters are in cameo or typo, while the non-printing characters are in intagliol permitting the lines thereof to be filled wtih Vsuitable coloring matter in order to permit the setting of the machine. to be readily. ascertained.

Each indicia wheel has connected thereto, a ratchet .wheel 39, the teeth of which correspond in number with the number of printing characters upon the wheel. With twelve printing characters, as shown in the drawing, the ratchetr wheel 39 will have twelve teeth. These ratchet wheels also aid in securing a proper spacing of the printed characters in each impression.

Co-operatingwitheach ratchet Wheel 39 is a detent pawl 40 lacted upon by one tooth of a comb spring 41, which is mounted upon the reciprocatory frame 34 by means of the rod 42 passing from -leg to leg of said frame. There is one more tooth on this comb spring than there are detent pawls, this tooth being utilized for controlling the actuation of the take-up mechanism operative upon the rewind reel.y

As shown in the drawing, the comb spring 41 is provided with al looped portion 43 seated between therod 42 andthe ends of the various detent'pawls, one edge of this spring being curved as shown at 44 in Fig. 4 so as to partially encircle said rod 42 in a manner to prevent displacement of the comb spring under ordinary conditions of use of4 the machine. The vario-us detent pawls as well as` the actuating member for the take-up mechanism'are pivoted upon the rod 45.

It. will be noted that with the above construction, each time an indicia wheel is turned, the

4 detent pawl limits the step by step movement of the wheel toa movement in arc corresponding with the space occupied by one printing and one non-printing character. y y

It will be noted that the detent pawls and the springs operative thereon have movement with the indicia wheels, so that each of these wheels is restrained at all times excepting during the manual setting of the wheel, in a manner to prevent such accidental turning of a wheel through one step or a part thereof, with a resultant recording of improper data or loss of register of the various wheels to an extent to occasion'any confusion in the printed record either upon the debtors book or upon the record strip.

The reciprocato-ry frame 84 is supported in relation to the top casing 26, and the U-bracket 28 connected therewith, by means of a stem 46 passingthrough openings in the bracket 28 and in the top casing 26 and the spring 47 acting between the top of said casing and the enlarged head 48 ofrsaid stem. Telescoping sheathings 49 and 5) are used to enclose said spring to an extent to prevent possible blocking or diplacement thereof.

YThe Vstem has two spaced ratchet teeth 51 and 52 therein adapted to be engaged by a sliding latch plate `53 seated between the` top of the bracket 28 and the top of the casing 26, space being provided for the movement of this plate by means of the spacing screws 54 by means of which the bracket 28 is attached to the ,casing 26. A spring 55 acts upon the plate 53' with a tendency to engage it with the ratchet teeth 51 or 52 according to the position of the stem 46.

As heretofore stated, means must be provided to advance the record strip and its associated carbon strips following the making of each impression upon the former. I employ for this purpose, a take-up mechanism consisting of a ratchet wheel 56 carried by and rotatable with the rewind reel 19. Mounted in the lower casing 10 member 32, movement ofv `said strips' to create iv sufcient slack therein adjacent the opening 11 y as might result in the smutting ofthe imprint- Pivoted upon the rod 45 is a rocking pawlV 58 having an arm 59 engaged by one of the teeth of the comb spring 41. The pawl 58 is disengaged vfrom the .ratchet wheel excepting towards the limit Lof the downward movement of the frame 34.` Withv the upward movement of said frame by the spring 47, said pawl engages andimparts 'turn-'- ing movement to the ratchet wheel 56 and rewind reel 19, to take up any slack created in thestripsl 16, 17 and 18 prior to the making oan impression and to advance the recordstrip 1.7. The detent pawl 57 is mounted upon one of the side bars12. 'l

The casings 10 and 26, while the machine is .in use by a collector, may be locked together to prevent access to the record strip. In the drawing',

an ordinary snap lock is shown, but any other` desired form of lock may be employed.

The part shown fat .60 is amere stop member: limiting the movement of the pawl to an extent to maintain it in a position in relation to the ratchet wheel 56 to avoid possibilityofl reverse movement of the rewindreel `19 with the downward movementof the pawl. The detent pawl 57 will also prevent such reverse movement of the rewind reel in the manner above described.

The record and its associated carbonn strips, byy

their arrangement` and their relation-to each other and to the various parts of; the mechanism,

permit theu making of theimpression upon ay debtors record book and the record strip without fouling the printing characters upon the various indicia' wheels 36 so as to permit the handl turningof these wheels without soiling the hands.

of the user of the machine. The strip ylil/is aiV carbonpaper strip, the coated surface oi which is presented toward Atheopening 11, the strip '17 is superimposed upon the strip l18 and" is a record strip of lightweight, tough paper, while the'strip 16 is a carbon paper strip with its coatedsurface engaging the strip 17. Byv this arrangement, the

record impressed upon the strip 17 by. means of the strip 16 is identical with the record irn-v pressed upon the debtors book by means ofthev strip 16. The strip 17 possesses sufficient inherent strength to preclude possibility of the tearing of( either carbon strip;

The spindles of the reels 15 and l9.;may take any desired form, the spindle 19, in the form of the invention shown, being tubular with dia.- metrically opposite slots to facilitate theconnection of an end of a composite strip.16,` 17 and 18 thereto. Either or both spindles may be flanged.

or not, as desired, although the rewind spindle ordinarily is provided with .anges l61 spaced from each end thereof to provide' the end arbors co-operating with the saddle. 14 of the sidebars l2 of thelower casing. The ratchet wheel`56 isf in engaging relation with one oi'- the iiangesvl, and this flange prevents possibility Vof skewing. of the strips in a manner to cause their mutilation by, or interference in the pawl 58.

The manner of use stamp, and its'mode of operation is substantially as follows:- l

A collector is furnished with a list of 'debtors and the amount to be collected from each with operation of, the

- y l f if* "m of the` herein described f ist: Y

f result from continued use of the machine.

the key number of the account. The principal, before delivering a machine to the collector, turns the upper casing 26 upon its hinges and mounts a supply reel 15 in the bearings 13. The-ends of the strips 16, 17 and 18 are then drawn from the supply reel and vpassed under `the guide and spacer rods 20y and connected to the rewind reel 19. The latter is then mounted in the bearing saddles 14 and the top easing is closed upon, and locked in relation to, the lower casing 10.

The plate 53 is normally engaged by the spring 55 with one of the notches 51 or 52, thus preventing accidental movement of the stem 46 and the reciprocatory frame 34 carrying said stem'.

When making a collection, the collector turns the necessary number of indicia wheels 36 to set up the desired printing characters 37 to indicate the necessary data in connection with that collection. As stated, this data vmay include various items such as the date, the amount, the identification of the account and identification of the collector. In turning the wheels, there is no possibility of soiling the hand and no fouling of the printing characters by brous matter can In fact, the wheelsk always remain dry and clean.

In setting up the desired printing characters, the collector is guided entirely by the non-printing surfaces 38. These surfaces, in the form of the invention shown in the drawing, lare positioned about 120 from theprinting line' so as to be readily visible. through the opening 27, which opening must be suiciently large to permit access to the wheels without diiiiculty and to allow for the reciprocatory movement of the wheels.

The various detent pawls 40 offer suiicient resistance to the turning of the wheels to permit accuracy in the setting thereof, and to prevent accidental turning of any wheel after it has once been set. This setting is by a step by step movement, the number of teeth on the ratchet wheels 39 being such as to ensure a 30 movement with each step, in the form of the invention shown. This precludes possibility of error in the positioning of the printing characters, or the accidental positioning of a non-printing or setting character where a printing character should be. The positioning of the non-printing characters upon surfaces recessed in relation to the printing characters, affords gripping areas within the plane of the printing surfaces which may be utilized in turning the wheels.

In closing the top casing upon the lower casing, the brake member 32 will be engaged with the spindlel of the supply reel 15 in a manner to develop resistance to the turning movement of this spindle.

The stamp now being properly set, the collectorV inserts thedebtors record book in the slot or space 23, the thickened portion of .the base 21 locating the blank spaces upon the sheets of this book in a proper relation to the printing wheels, side gauge markings being used to indicate the line of the book yupon which the data is to be impressed. Onediiculty encountered in the use of a stamp embodying the invention is that the thickness of the record book varies with different books, or with the same book at different times. Consequently, the space of slot 23 vmust be suiciently deepor wide to accommodate the maximum thickness of such a book..

The clamp pins 24 are provided to hold a book in any adjusted position while an impression is being made. By setting thestamp uponl any iiat object, this holding means is made operative.

When an impression is toy be made, the collector presses the latch plate 53 inwardly against the tension of the spring 55 and strikes the enlarged head 48 of the stem46 a sharp blow, thus forcing the reciprocatory frame 34 downwardly toward the platen 25. Toward the end of this downward movement, the printing characters engage the uppermost carbon strip 16 forcing this strip, the record strip 17 and the lower carbon strip 18 downwardly until the strip 18 engages the record hook positioned within the slot 23. Toward the end of this downward movement, the pawl 58 engages the teeth of the ratchet wheel 56 and rides thereover, the spring operative upon this pawl permitting it to yield freely in passing the ratchet, and the detent pawl` 57 oering suiiicient resistance to the turning movement of said ratchet to prevent the creation of slack adjacent the rewind reel 19. Slack will be created, however, in the said strips because of the necessity of forcing said strips downwardly through the opening 11 so as to engage the record book. This slack will vary slightly, according to the thickness of the book, but will never be material. It results from the turning movement of the supply reel which, as stated, is resisted by the spring 32.

The downward movement of the against the tension of the spring 47.

After making the impression, the collector again pressesr the lock plate 53, in case he has relieved the pressure upon this plate followingthe striking of the head 48, thus permitting the spring to raise the frame 34 and the actuating pawl 58'for the rewind reel, during which movement the slack created in the strips 16, 17 and 18 will be taken up and a length oi said strips advanced in relation to the printing line and wound upon the rewind reel preparatory to the making of the next impression. The spacing of the data recorded upon the record strip 17 will vary with the increase in the diameter of the rewind reel, but the amount of this variance will be negligible.

The cameo or typo characters will engage the frame 34 is paper backing for the carbon strip 16, so that there are no fibers or coloring matter accumulated upon these characters.

Upon the limit of the upward movement of the stem 46, the latch plate 53 becomes automatically operative to prevent movement of the stem, and remains in this position, precluding possibility of the accidental depression of the frame 34. The only effect of such accidental movement would be to soil the platen 25 and unnecessarily advance the record strip.

It is obvious that instead of using three strips 16, 17 and 18, the record strip may be a carbon strip with a. paper backing of suflicient weight to impart the desired strength to the composite printing strip.

The number and arrangement of parts is such as to ensure'a minimum of simple mechanisms, the actuation of which is such as to minimize likelihood of error in the setting of the various wheels and preclude likelihood of the disarrangement or breakage of parts.

It is essential, in a stamp of the type to which the invention relates, that it shall not get out of order since if the stamp does not function properly, there is a failure to properly record all of the transactions in which the stamp is used.

The stamp of the invention is not primarily to prevent the stealing of collected funds, but to ensure the application of funds collected to the proper accounts. Experience has demonstrated that shortages in the" accounts of collectors are v.cilnfiulative and Aarise most frequently because of the. extension of favors todebtorsbythe collector. This isl done by applyingto onel account,advance payments madeon another account. In other words; in installment collections or in industrial insurance collections, many of the debtors prefer to pay a number of `installments or premiums at` one time to avoid the annoyance lof frequent payments. Other debtors find themselves unable to meet payments when due. The collectors,- in order to carry the rnon-paying debtors, may at times apply 4part-of apayment by one debtor to the account of another debtor, relying,v upon the latter to make good the shortage. within a reasonable time. If this is not done, Athere is confusion in the accounts and upon investigation the shortage is detected. f o

The stamp'herein described, by making a record as to each payment `made'the collector and the account to which thecollection isto be credited, preventsthis practice, since the failure of any debtor to make .a payment upon a due date is evi- .denced by the 4absence .of data in the printed rec,-

ord upon the record strip of the stamp. The correct amount .of each payment must be made upon the debtors record book and the .corresponding entry must be made uponthe record strip. Col.-

-lusion .between the debtor and the collector is out Vof thequestion. Consequently, the use of a stamp embodying the invention has the three-foldedvantage of enabling a principal to credit each .collection tothe proper account, to act as a-check upon the cash returns of the vcollector' and to accurately determine what installments or premiumsare not collected when due.

The use ,of indicia .wheelsidly lmounted rupon ,a .shaft .carried :bya reciprocatory frame having aright line moyement'toward and from the sur- .faces vupon which matter Eis to be impressed, and .-the exposureofa portionofthe perimeter of these wheels througha sight opening .in the top casing, not .only increases the range of .the variation `of lthe records Ywhich `may be impressed, vbut .permits the use of wheels of small diameter and avoids necessity vforadditional ymechanisms for turning the wheels, or `indicatingthe setting thereof.

It isnot my intention to limit the invention to ythe fprecise .details of .construction showniin .the

accompanying .drawing, vit being .apparent that such may be variediwithout departing from the spiritlandV scope` ofv the invention.

Having described'the invention, what I claim as newY and vdesire to have protected by Letters Patent, isz- 1; A .collector-s stamp `embodying therein a lower casing having anopening through the bottomthereof, supply and rewindreelsupon oppo- .site sides of .said opening, a plurality .of superimposedstrips of record and carbon paper passing `fromfsaidsuppl'yto said rewind `reel with a .car-bonfeoated surface presentedv towards said opening, guides for said strips, an upper casing having a-sig-ht opening therethrough, closing said lower casing, movable therefrom, vand vhaving therein a guide bracket having vertical ways, a reciprocatory frame, a shaft carriedthereby havingl its Vopposite ends mounted in Vsaid ways, and a plurality of wheels idly mounted on said shaft, and projecting through said sight opening, each having a .plurality of duplicated printing and nonprinting characters so positioned that when-a printing character is at'ltheopening inthe-'lower casing, :the duplicate `non-printing zharacteris at said sightA opening, means y whereby saidfframe .having vertical ways having extensions proA may beactuated, and er1-.operating means Cerf ried by said rewind'reel and said reeiprocatory frame whereby said strips will be advanced with. each upward movement of said frame. i

2,. 'A colleotors Stamp embodying therein a lower casing having anopehihgthrough the bot:

ktom thereof, and side bers having bearing saddles adiaeentthe opposite ends 'thereon supply and .rewindreels removably mounted in said Saddles,

a plurality of superimposed strips of record `and carbon paper passing `fr 'oirrsaid supply tosad rewind reel with a carbon. Coated surface. pref `mounted in said ways, and a-plurality of wheels idly mounted on said shaft, and projecting through said sight opening, each having a. pluirality of duplicated printing @dhcp-,printing characters so positioned that when ia printing Vcharacteris at the opening in the lower casing,

the duplicate non-printing characteris, at said sight opening, means whereby said frame .may

ibe' actuated, and cio-operating meanslcarried by said rewind reel and said recprocatory frame whereby said strips will -be advanced with each upward movement of said frame.

3. A collectors vstamp embodying (therein, a

platen base, a lower casinghaving an opening through the bottom` thereof .Supported-'by spaced from said base, supply and rewind rels upon opposite sides of said opening,"a.plurality of superimposed 'stripsA of record and `carbon pa,- per `passing from ksaid supply to said rewind reel with acarbcn coated Vsurface presented towards.

said opening, guides for said strips, lan* upper casing having a sight opening rtherethrough, closing said lower casing, movablemtherefrom, and hayingtherein a guide bracket having `4ver- 'tical ways, ka reciprocatoryY frame, .a shaft'car.-

ried thereby having its opposite ends V.mounted lin said ways, and a .plurality .of ',wheelsz-@idly Amounted on 4said shaft, `and'*protecting :through said sight opening, each havingxa pluralityrof `duplicatedprinting and non-printing characters so positioned that when a printingcharaeteris at the openingy in the lower casing, the-duplicate non-printing character is at said sight opening,

means whereby said frame may bel'actuated,.and co-operating means carried by said rewindlreel A and said reciprocatoryframe whereby said strips will `be advanced'with eachupward'movement of said frame. y

4. A collectors stamp embodying .therein .a

platen base, a lower casing havingan opening f `through the bottom thereof supported by and spaced from'. said base, plungersmo'vably mount.- ed in and projecting from' .the .bottom )of "said base, supply and rewind reels upon opposite sides `of saidopening,` a plurality of superimposed strips of record andy carbon paper passing from said supply to said rewindreel witha carboncoated lsurface presented `towards said opening, guides for'said strips, an uppercasing having a sight .opening therethrough, closing Said flower easing,

movable =`tlierfefroln, and .having therein .a snide bracket :having vertical ways,a reciprocetqry iframe, afshaftgcarried therebyhaving zits opposite ends mounted in said ways, anda plurality of wheelslidly mounted on saidshafaandzprofao `jecting through said sight opening, each having a plurality of duplicated printing and non-printing characters so positioned that when a printing character is at the opening in the lower casing, the duplicate non-printing character is `at said sight opening, means whereby said frame may be actuated, and co-operating means carried by saidrewind reel and said reciprocatory frame whereby said strips will be advanced with -eachA upward movement of said frame.

5. A collectors stamp embodying therein a 'lower casing Yhaving an opening through the bot- -tom thereof, supply and rewind reels upon opposite sides of said opening, a plurality of supervimposed strips of recordand carbon paper passing from said supply to said rewind reel with a carbon coated surface presented towards said opening, guides for said strips, an upper casing `having a sight opening therethrough, closing said lower casing, movable therefrom, and having therein a guide bracket havingvertical ways, va reciprocatory frame, a shaft carried thereby having its opposite ends mounted in said ways, and a plurality of wheels idly mounted on said shaft, and projecting through said sight opening, each having a plurality of duplicated printing and non-printing characters so positioned that when a printing character is at the opening in the lower casing, the duplicate non-printing character is at said sight opening, means where- .by said frame may be actuated, automatically acting locking .means preventing accidental kmovement of the frame, and co-operating means carried by said rewind reel and said reciprocaytoryframe whereby said strips will be advanced reciprocatory frame, a shaft carried thereby hav-- ing its opposite ends mounted in said ways, and a plurality of wheels idly mounted on said shaft,

.and projecting through said sight opening, each havinga plurality of duplicated printing and non-printing characters so positioned that when aprinting character is at .the opening in the lower casing, the duplicate non-printing character is at said sight opening, a/stem having an enlarged head carried by said frame and exposed exteriorly of said top casing, a spring actingbetween said stem and said top casing in raising said frame, and co-operating means carried by said rewind reel and said reciprocatory frame whereby said strips will be advanced with each upward movement of said frame.

Y 7.v A` collectors stamp embodying therein a lower casing having an opening through the bot- .tom thereof, supply and rewind reels upon opposite sides of said opening, a plurality of superimposed strips of record and carbon paper passing from said supply to said rewind reel with a carbon coated surface presented towards said opening,guides for said strips, an upper casing having a sight opening therethrough, closing said lower casing, moveable therefrom, and having therein a guide bracket having vertical ways, a reciprocatoryframe, a shaft'carried thereby having its opposite ends mounted in said ways and a plu'- rality of wheels idly mounted on said shaft, and projecting through said sight opening, each having a plurality of duplicated `printing and nonvprinting characters so positioned that when a printing character is at the opening in the lower casing, the duplicate non-printing character is at said sight opening, va stem having an enlarged head carried by said frame and exposed exteriorly of said top casing, a spring acting between said stem and said top casing in raising said frame, automatically acting locking means for preventing accidental movement of said frame, and co-operating means carried by said rewind reel and said reciprocatory frameV whereby said strips will be advanced with each upward movement of said frame.`

8. A collectors stamp embodying therein' a lower casing .having an opening through the bottom thereof, supply and rewind reels upon opposite sides of said opening, a plurality of superimposed strips of record and carbon paper passing from said supply to said rewind reel with a carbon coated surface presented towards said opening, guides for Said strips, an upper casing having a sight opening therethrough, closing said lower casing, movable therefrom, and having therein a guide bracket having vertical ways, a reciprocatory frame, a shaft carried thereby having its opposite ends mounted in said ways, and a plurality of wheels idly mounted on said shaft, and projecting through said sight opening, each having a plurality of duplicated printing and non-printing characters so positioned that when a printing character is at the opening in the lower casing, the duplicate non-printing character is at said sight opening, means whereby said frame may be actuated, a ratchet wheel carried by said rewind reel, and a spring pressed pawl pivotally mounted upon, and movable with, said frame, said pawl being normally disengaged from said ratchet wheel, but engageable therewith upon the depression of said frame, whereby said rewind reel will be actuated with the upward movement of said frame.

9. A collectors stamp embodying therein a platen base, a lower casing having an opening through the bottom thereof supported by and spaced from said base, supply and rewind reels upon opposite sides of said opening, a plurality of superimposed strips of record and carbon paper passing from said supply to said rewind reel with a carbon coated surface presented towards said opening, guides for said strips, an upper casing having a sight opening therethrough, closing said lower casing, movable therefrom, and having therein a guide bracket having vertical ways, a reciprocatory frame, a shaft carried thereby having its opposite ends mounted in said ways, and a plurality of wheels idly mounted on said shaft, and projecting through said sight opening, each having a plurality of duplicated printing and non-printing characters so positioned that when a printing character is at the opening in the lower casing, the duplicate non-printing character is at said sight opening, a stem having an enlarged head carried by said frame and exposed exteriorly of said top casing, a spring acting between said stem and said top casing in raising said frame, a ratchet wheel carried by said rewind reel, and a spring pressed pawl `pivotally mounted upon, and movable with, said frame, said pawl being normally disengaged from said ratchet wheel, but engageable therewith upon the depression of said frame, whereby said rewind reel will be actuated with the upward movement of said frame. y

10. A collectors stamp embodying therein a lower casing having an opening through the bottom thereof, supply and rewind reels upon opposite sides of said opening, a retard device operative upon said supply reel, a plurality of superimposed strips of record and carbon paper passing from said supply to said rewind reel with a carbon coated surface presented towards said opening, guides for said strips, an upper casing having a sight opening therethrough, closing saidy lower casing, movable therefrom, and having therein a guide bracket having vertical ways, a reciprocatory frame, a shaft carried thereby having its opposite ends mounted in said ways, and a plurality of wheels idly mounted on said shaft, and projecting through said sight opening, each having a plurality of duplicated printing and non-printing characters so positioned that when a printing character is at the opening in the lower casing, the duplicate non-printing character is at said sight opening, means whereby said frame may be actuated, and co-operating means carried by said rewind reel and said reciprocatory frame whereby said strips will be advanced with each upward movement of said frame.

11. A collectors stamp embodying therein a lower casing having an opening through the bottom thereof, and side bars having bearing saddles adjacent the opposite ends thereof, supply and rewind reels removably mounted in said saddles, a plurality of superimposed strips of record and carbon paper passing from said supply to said rewind reel with a carbon coated surface presented towards said opening, guides for said strips, an upper casing having a sight opening therethrough, closing said lower casing, movable therefrom, and having therein a guide bracket having vertical ways having extensions provided with bearing saddles (zo-operating with the saddles in said side bars, a spring carried by said upper casing and engageable with said supply reel, a reciprocatory frame, a shaft carried thereby having its opposite ends mounted in said ways, and a plurality of wheels idly mounted on said shaft, and projecting through said sight opening, each having a plurality of duplicated printing and non-printing characters so positioned that when a printing character is at the opening in the lower casing, the duplicate non-printing character is at said sight opening, means whereby said frame may be actuated, and co-operating means carried by said rewind reel and said reciprocatory frame whereby said strips will be advanced with each upward movement of said frame.

12. A collectors stamp embodying therein a lower casing having an opening through the bottom thereof, supply and rewind reels upon opposite sides of said opening, a plurality of superimposed strips of record and carbon paper passing from said supply of said rewind reel with a carbon coated surface presented towards said opening, guides for said strips, an upper casing having a sight opening therethrough, hingedly connected with said lower casing at one side of the` opening through the bottom thereof, and having therein a guide bracket having vertical ways, a reciprocatory frame, a shaft carried thereby having its opposite ends mounted in said ways, and a plurality of wheels idly mounted on said shaft, and projecting through said sight opening, each having a plurality of duplicated printing and non-printing characters so positioned that when a printing character is at the opening in the lower casing, the duplicate nonprinting character is at said sight opening, means whereby said frame may be actuated, and co-operating means carried by said rewind reel and said reciprocatory frame whereby said strips will be advanced with each upward movement of said frame.

13. A collectors stamp embodying therein a lower casing having an opening through the bottom thereof, supply and rewind reels upon opposite sides of said opening, a plurality of superimposed strips of record and carbon paper passing from said supply to said rewind reel with a carbon coated surface presented towards said opening, guides for said strips, an upper casing having a sight opening therethrough, closing said lower casing, movable therefrom, and having therein a guide bracket having vertical ways, a reciprocatory frame, a shaft carried thereby having its opposite ends mounted in said ways, and a plurality of wheels idly mounted on said shaft, and projecting through said sight opening, each having a plurality of duplicated printing and non-printing characters so positioned that when a printing character is at the opening in the lower casing, the duplicate non-printingv character is at said sight opening, means whereby said frame may be actuated, a ratchet wheel carried by each of said other wheels, having teeth corresponding in number with the printing characters thereon,ka spring pressed detent pawl co-operating with each ratchet wheel, and co-operating means carried by said rewind reel and said reciprocatory frame whereby saidstrips will be advanced with each upward movement of said frame.

14. A collectors stamp embodying therein a lower casing having an opening through the bottom thereof, and side bars having bearing saddles adjacent the opposite ends thereof, supply and rewind reels removably mounted in said saddles, a plurality of superimposed strips of record and carbon paper passingfrom said supply to said rewind `reel with a carbon coated surface pre- 4 sentedtowards said Openingguides for saidstrips, an upper casing having a sight opening therethrough,closing said lower casing,movab1e therefrom and having therein a guide bracket having vertical ways having extensions provided with bearing saddles co-operating with the saddles in said side bars, a spring carried by said upper casing and engageable with said supply reel, a reciprocatory frame, a shaft carried thereby having its opposite ends mounted in said ways, and a plurality of wheels idly mounted on said shaft, and projecting through said sight opening, each having `a plurality of duplicated printing and non-printing characters so positioned .that when a printing character is at the opening in the lower casing, the duplicate non-printing character is at said sight opening, a ratchet Wheel carried by each of said other wheels having teeth corresponding in number with the printing characters thereon, a spring pressed detent pawl cooperating with each ratchet wheel, means whereby said frame may be actuated, and co-operating means carried by said rewind reel and said reciprocatory frame whereby said strips will be advanced with each upward movement of said frame.

GEORGE J. MATT. 

